MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) learned of the matchup from sources close to the bout, who said verbal agreements are in place with contracts expected shortly.

DREAM.17 takes place Sept. 24 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Although broadcast plans have yet to be announced, negotiations are underway between the promotion and previous U.S. television partner HDNet to possibly air the event.

Harris got back in the win column this past May with a decision over Strikeforce vet Anthony Ruiz at Tachi Palace Fights 9. It was a welcome change after a two-fight skid that began with a decision loss to Maiquel Falcao at UFC 123. Released afterward by the UFC, he lost another decision in a fight against James Head in regional competition.

The opportunity to once again fight on a big stage was music to his ears.

“Everybody’s had situations in the past, but I’m just saying overall – they have a great reputation, they produce great fighters, and they’re highly respected,” Harris said of DREAM.

Nakamura, a PRIDE, UFC, Sengoku and DREAM, enjoys a two-fight win streak over the likes of Karl Amoussou and Hidehiko Yoshida at DREAM.15 and Astra, respectively.

Those triumphs reversed a two-fight slide in his most recent appearances for Sengoku, which included a TKO loss to Jorge Santiago at Sengoku 6 and a submission loss to Kazuo Misaki at Sengoku 9.

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